CCPD: $1M in drugs recovered in grow house bust

February 28, 2014

Cape Coral police seized more than $1 million worth of marijuana in a drug bust Thursday.

At about 11:20 p.m., the CCPD served a search warrant at a residence at 1206 N.E. Eighth Place after learning that a suspected marijuana growing house operation was being operated out of the home.

According to officials, a search of the residence revealed a substantial high-tech operation, which included elaborate lights, watering systems, temperature controls and wiring setups, along with mylar-insulated rooms. Police removed a total of 60 plants and harvested marijuana buds from the home.

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Yoel Escano Trimino

The total weight of the seizure was 436.3 pounds, with a street value of more than $1 million.

Prior to the search, a vehicle was observed leaving the residence. The driver of the vehicle, Yoel Escano Trimino, 40, of 1206 N.E. Eighth Place, was detained until the warrant was executed. Trimino was then arrested and transported to the Lee County Jail for booking, according to a police report.

He is charged with marijuana producing, marijuana trafficking excess of 25 pounds or 300 plants or more, larceny petit theft $100 less $300 and three counts of drug equipment possess and or use.

As of Friday, Trimino was being held at the jail without bond.

He has a court appearance scheduled for March 31.

"This is another example of the outstanding work that the men and women of the Cape Coral Police Department do each day," Police Chef Bart Connelly said in a prepared statement released Friday.

"I'm proud that our officers and detectives were able to work quickly and safety to take down one of the largest single grow house operations ever located in Cape Coral without incident and with minimal disruption to the good law-abiding citizens in the area," Connelly said.